By George House/23,July,2025
Imagine your home entry point being a beacon of elegance that invites light into your home and connects it to the outdoor environment. That’s the appeal of having a French door exterior.
With the mass adoption of French door exteriors in Europe and North America, this type of door is more than a mere entry point, but a statement piece. French door is expected to witness a cumulative annual market growth (CAGR) of about 5% and 3.2% in North America and Europe, respectively.
Despite the massive adoption of exterior French doors worldwide, most homeowners and contractors still face the challenges of choosing the right ones. This issue almost leads to weak locks, energy inefficiency, security risk, structural and maintenance problems. This article provides everything you need to know when choosing your home’s exterior French door.
Types of French Doors for the Exterior
Now that you’ve decided to go for a French door for your home exterior, you must know the different types of doors available. The following are the best you can find around.
1. Sliding French Door
A sliding French door is a modern gateway to the classic or traditional French door. It’s a blend of the two in the design that gives homeowners the chance to have a subtle indoor and outdoor flow without giving up any part of their home space. While simultaneously allowing them to enhance lighting in their home environment.
Sliding French door consists of two or more large glass panels. Most homeowners select the four-panel sliding door to conform to the standard entryway dimension. The operation mechanisms of sliding doors are highly advantageous for homes with limited space.
A sliding door does not take up any space because it functions by sliding neatly along a top or bottom track and ends up becoming parallel to the wall. This operation style is possible because of its configuration, which involves a panel system that allows one to slide into an opening and the other to be fixed. Another configuration, the multi-panel system, allows every panel to stack together at the end panel and have the entryway wide open.
2. Swing French Door
A swing French door is another classic design connecting indoor and outdoor spaces. Unlike sliding doors, swing doors require more Space because they swing inward or outward and create an unobstructed passageway. This French door type mostly comes in two designs: single-hinged and double-hinged.
- Single-hinged French Door
A single-hinged French door is best for a house with limited wall space to accommodate a large entryway door. With a standard size of 80 inches high and 36 inches wide, a single-hinged front door for the exterior can provide enough clearance to accommodate easy movements either in or out swinging.
One of the key characteristics of a hinged French door exterior is the possibility of design configuration. This is one of the key propositions you can get when you buy from George Group, where you can select from various beautiful color options and materials.
- Double Hinged French Door
What sets the hinged French door apart is its operable two panels that can be opened simultaneously. In some cases, you might choose one fixed while the other is open. A double-hinged French door can also be out swinging and in swinging, and provides all the advantages of a typical swing door with a personalised grille style that complements your home style.
Comparison Table for the Different Types of French Doors
For better visualization, we provide this comparison table of exterior French door types
| French Door Type | Operation Mechanism | Space Required | Standard Sizes (W x H) | Energy Efficiency Level | Light Admission | Ventilation |
| Sliding French Door | Panels slide horizontally on a track, overlapping. | Minimal swing space; needs wall space for panels. | 60-144″ W x 80-96″ H (standard: 5ft, 6ft, 8ft widths). | Good to Excellent (with good seals & low-E glass). | Excellent (Large glass panels). | Good (One panel opens; screens standard). |
| Double Hinged French Door | Two doors, hinged on outer sides, open from the centre (in-swing or out-swing). | Significant swing space (width of both doors) on the opening side. | 60-72″ W x 80-96″ H (standard: 5ft, 6ft widths). | Good (Seals well, especially with multi-point locks). | Excellent (Two full glass doors). | Excellent (Both doors open fully; screens can be added). |
| Single Hinged French Door | One hinged on one side opens like a standard door with large glass panes. | Moderate swing space (width of one door) on the opening side. | 30-36″ W x 80-96″ H. | Good (Similar to double-hinged; less surface area for heat loss). | Very Good (One large glass panel). | Good (One door opens; screens can be added). |
Key Considerations Before You Buy Exterior French Doors
Before proceeding to buy a French door for your home exterior, it’s important to consider the following factors:
1. Types of Glass and its energy efficiency
There are various types of glass available for you, including double or triple glazing, glass-filled panes and low-E glass. These types of glass have many energy efficiency properties and insulation options. So it is best to check your local building code to get the appropriate glass design pressure rating that’s appropriate to your area.
2. Material Types
French doors come in various material types, each with advantages and disadvantages. For instance:
- Wood:
French door exteriors that are made of wood will offer you a timeless beauty. At the same time, it allows you to make your customization.
- Vinyl
Another one is the vinyl-made French door for the exterior that’s ultra energy efficient, durable and affordable.
- Aluminum
At George Group, we also have the aluminum French door for the exterior that’s very strong, lightweight, and best for modern homes.
- Fiberglass
Lastly, the fiberglass-made French door gives you the appeal and intricate design of wood and customization.
3. Space Requirement
Before choosing a French door for the exterior, it is best to measure your available space and specific needs. French door exterior comes in various sizes, such as 80 inches standard height and width, ranging from 30 to 72 inches per door.
4. Security Features
Since you are choosing a French door for your exterior, you need one that can provide your family with security. Select a French door for the exterior with multi-point locking systems that serve as deterrents for any break-in.
5. Swing Direction
If you are going for a swing door collection, consider the swing direction inward or outward for easy mobility. You can check our range of swing door collections with customization options that suit your design preference.
Choosing the French Door Right Retailer and Manufacturer
Choosing the right French door retailer and manufacturer is as important as selecting the right door. This is where reputation and support come into play. The following are some tips that we created to get you going.
- Start by looking for a company with a solid reputation and track record. This is what sets George Group apart, with our over 16 years of experience, we pride ourselves on our utmost dedication and respect for our customers’ design choices for optimum satisfaction.
- Look for a French door manufacturer that provides a warranty on French doors for peace of mind.
- Ensure your preferred front door manufacturer provides you with Quality Inspection and After Sales service if you encounter problems.
Making Your Final Decision
At the end of the day, the best French door exterior you choose is based on your preference. While at that, you must consider the above-stated factors and get yourself abreast with the different types and materials.
Take your time to study the available options for better and informed decision-making. So when you are ready to purchase a French door for the exterior, the George Group team of experts will guide you through the entire process from selection to installation.
